Duty imposed by US on Indian steel products is 'inconsistent': WTO

Geneva/New Delhi: In a major relief to the steel industry, the WTO has ruled against US which had imposed high duty on imports of certain steel products from India. The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that the duty imposed by US on the Indian steel products is 'inconsistent' with its Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

However, it also rejected some of the findings of the Geneva-based organization’s dispute settlement panel which were in India's favour.

The body has also recommended that the US should modify its norms and bring them in line with the WTO's agreement.

After India filed its complaint at the WTO in 2012, the dispute settlement panel of the body in July this year had ruled in India's favour against USA's imposition of higher duties on New Delhi's steel imports.

A member country can challenge panel's ruling and approach Appellate Body of the WTO.